Welcome to
My name is Rafael & I'm a professional saxophone player and teacher based in Birmingham.
I want to make sure all of my students enjoy learning playing the Saxophone & I always try my best to make sure our lessons are both enjoyable and informative.
I like to make sure we learn music that you know and love during our lessons whilst making sure you have a solid understanding of music & theory.
Get in touch to find out more.
Get in touch today & start leaning to play the Saxophone.
My approach to teaching is based on the individual needs of every student and their learning objectives. My teaching is generally tailored to the individual interests or aspirations of the student.
I can teach any music style (classical, jazz, folk, pop, experimental, rock, blues), improvisation, composition, arranging, or just follow the requests/requirements of the student.
Lessons are pay-as-you-go, weekly, fortnightly or as suits you.
I have experience in teaching students of all abilities and welcome both beginner and advanced students to take my Saxophone lessons in Birmingham.
I am a graduate of the prestigious Birmingham Conservatoire with a BMus(Hons) in Jazz, started learning the saxophone at the age of 12 years old, I’ve completed the 8th Grade of ABRSM in Classical Saxophone and had private jazz classes after becoming interested in jazz and improvisation during my 5th grade.
I play all the saxophones (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone), flute and also have 3rd Grade ABRSM in Classical piano and also compose, and arrange to a high standard.
During the years I have played in diverse types of bands and groups such as Support Band for 12 times Grammy-nominated artist and holder of one Grammy for “Best Gospel Song” in 2011 saxophonist Kirk Whalum which became famous for his feature on Witney Houston’s track “I Will Always Love You”, sax solo feature on radio hit for an artist called D'Alva on the track "Frescobol", support band for MPB artist Ed Motta, Symphonic Orchestra of the Army, Jazz Orchestras of the Army, Big Bands, Local Wind/marching Bands and recently run my own 3 original groups.
I've been a professional musician for 10 years and I’ve been teaching saxophone and flute privately for the last 8 years. I have experience teaching people of all ages and abilities, groups, students living abroad, and I am also an experienced peripatetic music teacher.
I can teach and/or prepare students for ABRSM, Guildhall, and Trinity grades in classical or Jazz from grades 1-8 examinations. During the last 2 years of my experience, I also had the chance to deliver diverse types of workshops in a group setting such as Jazz workshop for a local big band which is made up of all ages and abilities.
Playing the saxophone is my passion and I love to pass my knowledge and skills to my students. I take music quite seriously, but I also have a lot of fun playing and teaching music. In each of my classes, I always encourage my students to express themselves, be creative and I also help them achieve their goals by pushing every student to the best of their abilities, whilst providing a range of knowledge always in a fun environment.
Birmingham is a big city with a music scene to match & here are a few of the best music shops in the area I would recommend.
PMT Birmingham, Is the best place to go if you want an all round store that stocks anything at all from Brass to Guitars to Drums, They have it. Check them out at Unit 4, Trident Retail Park, 6 Westley St, Birmingham B9 4EH.
Fair Deal Music, is the best place place to go if you are looking for second hand instruments as well as new instruments. You can find them at 79-83 Holloway Head, Birmingham B1 1QP.
Hobgoblin, Is the best place to go if you are a singer or an acoustic guitar player. They have a huge range of instruments available. You can find them at 8 The Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS.
As part of my teaching approach, I generally provide suggestions of local groups, bands, projects and opportunities for students of any ages or abilities to perform and express their talent. Finally, my approach includes encouraging my students to keep a diary of study, I sometimes send homework, always keeping the student engaged whilst I continually reassess/evaluate their progress to make sure the student is developing effectively and reaching their goal/result. I addition can also teach music theory, advanced harmony, arranging, composition, and various instrumental techniques.
[email protected]My lessons are charged at £15 per hald hour and £30 per hour for students of all abilities.
I take the majority of my lessons from my home teaching space in the B17 8ED area of the city. I can also travel to you if this is preferable.
I offer lessons to students of all ages(5+). I believe that music should be for everyone.
I think weekly lessons are best if you want to improve at a good pace however, I this is not essential & you can take lessons as and when you like.
If you cancel a lesson with less than 48 hours notice you will still be charged for the lesson. If you give enough notice, you are more than welcome to re-arrange your lesson.
Why wait?! Get in touch today & start learning to play the saxophone in Birmingham.
Saxophone Teacher
Rafael Lopes